Standardized Tests: Shouldn't We Be Helping Our Students By Eric Boese

Many people are beginning to notice that standardized testing is taking over school curriculums. Educators are mistaken when they think that a measly test score can reflect students’ overall academic abilities and potential. The article “Standardized Tests: Shouldn’t We Be Helping Our Students” by Eric Boese explains my exact point. The scores on these standardized tests unfortunately represent a student’s academic performance as well as the school’s abilities to teach children. It also effects the funding that schools receive today which also leads to the overall reputation of schools. It’s obvious that parents would most likely send their children to a school that’s known for having high test scores and good funding. However, these high test scores do not mean that the school is giving their students the proper education. Schools need to get their act together and straighten out their priorities in order to give their students the education they need to prepare themselves for the future.

As a senior in high school, I’ve taken many tests that can affect my grades, graduation, and reputation when entering college. Not everyone can take tests stress free and receive a great score even if they’ve learned the material. There are many students including myself that continually receive good grades, keep up with their work, and involve themselves within school and in their communities, but when test time comes around, their academic abilities and accomplishments aren’t shown. It seems completely unfair that one or two test scores can throw all of a student’s hard work and accomplishments out the window.

When thinking about my own future career and obstacles to come, I much rather receive the sort of education that will prepare me to overcome the difficult situations and succeed. Being taught strictly the information to help me pass a test where the scores will become completely irrelevant later on seems unnecessary. Today’s educators need to look directly at the needs of their students and make sure that they receive the knowledge and learn the skills to do well in their futures. This in no way means that tests should be taken away, they are very important throughout the process of learning. Anyhow, a student’s future should become the first on the priority list for educators, not a test score.

"The Homeless and Their Children" By Jonathan Kozol

There have been many times that I have looked at another person and thought to myself how my life could possibly be so much better in their shoes. Jealousy is something everyone has an issue over without much control. At the same time, we fail to realize that to someone else's point of view, our own life may be superior to there's. I recieved a well needed wake up call after reading the article "The Homeless and Their Children" by Jonathan Kozol (page 304). To be reminded of and saddened by those who are in tremendous living situations is a deep feeling that I think everyone needs to go through to defer from taking life for granted.

It's almost impossible for me to imagine a life like the woman's who was described through this writing. The illiterate woman's home in a run down hotel was described in such depth I had the feeling of humiliation and grief while reading. The poor woman didn't have a single thing in her home that worked properly, and her kids had become very ill from various issues within the hotel. I was more than mind boggled after reading that the woman basically had no choice but to sign paper after paper when she had to clue what they said. How was it that there was absolutely no one to help her in this situation?

After reading something like this I can't help but to sit back and really thank God for the life I have. No one can expect to always have exactly what they want, but I do know that I have more than what I need. Unfortunately, not everyone can say the same thing. As much as I'd like to deny any selfishness, reading this story really brought my thoughts to reality. A good dose of reality definately could not hurt once in awhile.